You and I just have to agree to disagree on Carter. I think he has the greatest bust potential, and I mean bust, as in being out of the league in four or five years, of any of the consensus top 10 picks. Too many times I saw him flat footed and earthbound while college kids were skying over him. I just don't think that translates well into the NBA. I don't see as others do that he's another Horford. Also, I heard an interview where he said he had to work on his confidence, that if he misses a shot he can't lose confidence. If he's in college and he needs more confidence, he's going to be very challenged in the NBA in that regard. He seems like a great kid, a character guy, a hard worker, but I just think he's going to struggle because of his physical limitations.
On Bagley, the first I saw him I said to myself: This kid is an absolute no brainer; just pick him, Kings, and be done with it. (That's exactly what I put on this board at the time). I still feel that way. I don't see the risk in Bagley of a strike out/aka bust that I do with Carter. You just don't see guys like Bagley with the fluidity, quickness, balance, coordination, speed, super quick and high jumping ability, and motor every day. He's a very rare commodity, imo. I think his getting stronger and improving his handles are givens. To me, the determining factor in how good he becomes will be his outside shooting improvement. (I'd say shooting improvement is the hardest thing of all to predict one way or another, and would say that for any player in this draft). He's a big time competitor, has the fire, the determination to get better, and the character. He also has the confidence. He wanted the ball in his hands in the closing minutes of big games and wasn't afraid to take big shots. You add those characteristics to mega talent and it may not be a guarantee of great success, but the ingredients are there for great success, and when you're picking 19 year old's that's about as good as you can ask for.